as in oblique
running in a slanting direction
the leaning tower of Pisa is a popular tourist attraction in Italy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in direction
a prevailing or general movement or inclination
the news media are often accused of having liberal leanings
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in tendency
a habitual attraction to some activity or thing
despite what his athletic leanings might suggest, he was actually a very lazy kid
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in tilting
to set or cause to be at an angle
just lean the ladder against the tree and climb up it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tending
to show a liking or proneness (for something)
the family's diet leans toward greasy food
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in relying
to place reliance or trust
you can always lean on me if you need help
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of leaning
Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
In the years since, researchers found, the group maintained smooth relations with the government as its more than 1,000 chapters nationwide encompass Egyptians of all political leanings.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Besides, the media ecosystem already sports several large conservative news outlets and dozens of right-leaning media personalities.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leaning
Noun
Crooks appeared to have acted alone and did appear to hold any to any particularly strong political leanings.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
In the years since, researchers found, the group maintained smooth relations with the government as its more than 1,000 chapters nationwide encompass Egyptians of all political leanings.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
Diet Coke isn’t the only brand leaning into the nostalgia of yesteryear.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Besides, the media ecosystem already sports several large conservative news outlets and dozens of right-leaning media personalities.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leaning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaning
Adjective
-
An oblique injury last season didn’t help.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Elias Díaz exited Saturday’s game after feeling left oblique discomfort during a swing.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
While the New York Times has significantly cut back on its unsigned editorial board pieces, the Post appears to be moving in the opposite direction.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Researchers found that the receivers of the dance weren’t just following the direction and distance indicated by the waggle dance.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This is presumably a reference to Perkins' status as a closeted gay man, something Hitchcock likely knew, and not because Perkins had homicidal tendencies.—
JR Radcliffe,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
They were supervised, or not supervised, or supervised in such a way that their worst tendencies were encouraged instead of discouraged.—
Jennifer Gonnerman,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Lifting the controller and swinging it swiftly down hammers steel at Atsu’s family forge, gently pulling the trigger urges a campfire’s tendrils higher, while tilting it this way and that lowers mushrooms further into that fire for cooking.—
Alyssa Mercante,
Rolling Stone,
25 Sep. 2025
-
In finance, insurance, and professional and business services, employers are tilting toward experienced hires and a falling share of postings requiring less than three years’ experience.—
Jennifer Moss,
Fortune,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Maybe that means redecorating your home, tending to an elder, or creating new rituals that ground you.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Never mind that being the youngest captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963 would require him to balance his playing career with the time demands of being a Ryder Cup captain while also tending to his young family.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Perhaps some of the continuity upon which the Cavs are relying was forced by the franchise’s decisions in years past to sign all four of its core players to nine-figure contract extensions.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Autumn Planting in autumn allows the peony to grow fine root hairs and be ready for spring growth without relying on energy stored in the root to survive.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Lloyd showed off his athleticism from there, returning the pick 99 yards for a turn-the-tide touchdown.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Fall in South Florida is not marked by changing leaves, but by rising tides.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
LaCombe, who played forward in his youth, has shown great improvement in his own end but still has the offensive inclinations to be a point producer.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Redford also shared that despite his inclination to public service, his ambitions were not political.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaning. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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